Expansible form for inspecting hosiery



Aug. v6, 1935. E. R. AMMON EXPANSIBLE FORM FOR INSPECTING HOSIERY Filed Sept. 4, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l 6, 1935. E. R. AMMON 2,010,172

EXPANSIBLE FORM FOR INSPECTING HOSIERY Filed Sept. 4, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 smaller Pizza/62rd 1Q .cQYmmon Aug. 6, 1935. E. R. AMMON EXPANSIBLE FORM FOR INSPECTING HOSIERY Filed Sept. 4, 19:50 3 Sheets-Sheet s Jwuemtoz Edward 18. L27772772o2'2/ Patented Aug. 6, 1935 PATENT OFFICE.

EXPANSIBLE FORM FOR INSPECTING HOSIERY Edward R. Ammon, Reading, Pa. Application September 4, 1930, Serial No. 479,757

24 Claims. (Cl. 223-19) This invention relates to improvements in hosiery inspecting devices of the type especially adapted to the inspection of full-fashioned hosiery, and involves essentially a device which will subject the various parts of a stocking to a relatively high degree of stretch with the view of enabling defects to be more readily observed. In my prior Patents Nos. 1,699,265, issued Janu ary th, 1929, 1,727,498, issued September 10th, 1929, and 1,727,499, issued September 10th, 1929, I have shown several structures adapted for the inspection of various types of hosiery. The present invention has particular reference to the full-fashioned hosiery inspecting device shown in my Patent No. 1,727,499 and comprises certain modifications in the construction and arrangement of parts therein disclosed and in addition involves novel parts and a cooperative relation between all of the various parts whereby the practical value of my prior patented structure is materially enhanced. While my prior device operates' successfully for general purposes, it has been found that the same does not permit inspection of certain parts of a stocking wherein defects are most likely to occur without considerable physical exertion of the inspecting voperator. Even with the combined stretching of the stocking fabric obtained by the mechanical stretching exerted by my prior device in connection with the manual stretch exerted" by the operator a complete and intensive inspection, such as is essential to insure the perfection of the stocking, is impossible.

Essentially my present invention involves a spect thereto, so positioned that upon expansion they will stretch all of the various seam forming loops and narrowing stitches in the various parts of a stocking. Inasmuch as the heel and toe portion of a stocking foot must be knit in parts and then sewed together by looping stitches, it is my particular purpose to device novel mechanism which enables a rigid inspection, especially of such parts, together with the narrowing marks which are formed during. the course of the knitting operation.

It is my further purpose to provide a device adaptedto subject both the foot and other portions of a stocking to a higher degree of stretchthan was possible with my prior device.

While it is my principal purpose to subject a stocking to a relatively high degree; of stretch to insure detection of all minute defects, it will be apparent that any serious defects might be.

. materially increased by'such an operation. Such form provided with members expansible with re-.

defects can be discovered by a slight stretching and it is therefore desirable to first expand the stocking only moderately in. certain portions, and then, if no defects appear, to increase the stretch to'discover the defects that can only be t detected by putting, the stocking under a considerable strain.' It is, therefore, my purpose to provide a hosiery inspecting device having such an arrangement and correlation of stretching parts that a step by step, or a. gradually increasing, stretching of the various parts of a stocking may be effected, with the view of enabling the inspecting operation to be conducted in an 'eilicient manner without danger of en largin'g"v defects which might readily be discovered Without utilizing the full stretching capacity of the device.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal view of a preferred form of my inspecting device with the shell of the form cut away to show the several expanding members and the mechanism by which they are actuated;

Fig. 2 is a similar longitudinal view taken at an angle of ninety degrees to that shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on of Fig. 1;.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the end portion of the structure shown in Fig. 2 with the stretching, means shown in extended or stretching. position;

Fig. 5"is a perspective view of my inspecting form with the stretching, means in retractedposition;

Fig. 6 is a. perspective view similar to the show-- ing in Fig. 5 with all oflthe stretching means in extended or stretching. position;

Fig. '7 isa viewof my complete expanding form showing the manner inlwhich the sameis mount- 40 ed and mechanism suitable for actuating. the expanding members;

Fig, 8' is a fragmentary view, corresponding to- Fig. 5, having particular reference to the'expanding means shown in Fig. 4 with the toe of a stock- 45 ing placed in position, certain of the expanding, parts being in expanded position to expand certain parts of thetoe and other partsof the structure being in retracted position;

Fig. 9 is. a view similar to Fig. 8 with all of the 50 expanding. parts shown in Fig. 4 in expanded position to subject the. whole toe of the stocking to a high degree of stretch;

As indicated in the drawings, my improved inthe line 3-3 specting device includes, generally, a form prefa 'reentrant or concave end surface.

ing or other article is placed in position thereon it will be in extended condition such that the stocking will present a substantially smooth surface without a distending or stretching of the fabric to any considerable extent. Positioned in the form at suitable points are means adapted to expand outwardly from the form to subject certain portions of the fabric to an intensive stretching with a view of enabling a careful inspectionthereof. Mechanism is also provided for actuating the stretching members and means is provided for conveniently mounting the form so that stockings may be readily placed in position and removed. Means are provided to expand the welt and the portion of the leg between the welt and the calf bodily to insure stretching of such parts not only along the seam but also throughout its entire circumferential extent. A stretching member similar to that disclosed in myprior patented structure is provided to stretch thecalf of. the stocking and the'portion of the leg between the calf *and the foot to allow inspection of the narrowing points and leg seam. Also, as in my prior device, oppositely expanding stretchers located near the end of the form are provided to stretch the'narrowingpoints inthe heel and toe and to produce a moderate stretch of the looping seams in the heel and toe and along the line of joinder of such parts to the body of the foot. To enable an inspection of the so-called looping cor ners and -tips of both the heel and toe, I have providedmeans for enabling the inspecting operator w subject such portions first to a moderate and then to a high degree of stretch, as'defects fre quently occur therein. These last-mentioned means also serve to increase the stretch in the looping seamsof the heel and toe and lines of joinder of the heel and toe with the body of the foot produced by the oppositely expanding side stretchers.

- Referring now to Figs; 1 and 2, one'embodiment-of my invention includes a form it, preferably of a shape adapted to support a stocking in extended condition. A bushing ll seating in and'rotatable with respect to an elongated bearing member l2 attached to the rear end of the form is providedto enable the form to be mounted on any suitable support so as to be freely rotatable to allow inspection of all sides of a stocking'. 5 'A plurality of longitudinally extending recesses are provided in'the form in which are positioned suitable stretching members. .To allow expansion of the welt and the leg of the stocking between the welt and calf, I prefer to provide a plurality of recesses l3 occupying correspondmg positions circumferentially' of the form in which are located similar stretching members l4 pivotally connected to'the rear end of the form at points l5. While any number of such stretchers may be used, I prefer'to use and have shown three in the drawings." Located intermediatethe sides of the form in such position as will enable thecalfof a stocking to liejthereover is a, recess is in which seats a stretching member ll adapt-j ed tofexp'and the stocking fromthe calf to -the foot fcrthe'purpose of inspecting the leg seam and narrowing points. To enable convenient inspection of the foot, and'heel, the small end of the form is attenuated or wedge shaped and with Positioned near this end of the form' and occupying corresponding positions on opposite sides of the form are a pair of recesses l8 and H7 in which seat extensiblestretchers 20 2], the arrangement erablyof such size and shape that when a stockpreferably being such that these members expand in a plane at right angles to the plane of movement of the calf expanding member ll. The stretchers 28 and 2! are adapted to stretch the heel and toe, whichever is positioned thereover, to enable inspection of the heel and toe looping seams and narrowing points, as well as the looping-stitches between the heel and toe and the body of the foot.

As heretofore stated, the end of the form has a reentrant shape such as to enable theportions of the heel or toe seating on the edges of the end to be stretched without distending the heel or toe tips. To further enhance the value of such a'constructio n, I have provided a pair of hornshaped members 22 occupying corresponding positions at adjacent ends and being so disposed as to engage the looping corners of the heel and toe. In serving such function they also enable theother parts of the heel and toe to be held in proper position onthe end of the form and thus enable the stretching members to function more efficiently.

Avery valuable feature of the present device is anexpansion rod 23 provided with a blunt end positioned to expand outwardlythrough a hole 24 in the concave end. Such member is adapted to engage the heel and toe tips to enable a thorough examination thereof and is actuated by'mea'ns hereafter to be described to stretch the vtramzverse looped seams of the heel and toe in a manner that has been impossible with prior inspection devices. Furthermore, such member increases materially the stretch exerted on the narrowing points of the heel and toe and the looping stitches joining the heel and .toe to the body of. the foot. The mannerin which the side stretching members 26 and N in cooperation with the horns 22 stretch the toe of a stocking is illustrated in Fig. 8. In Fig. 9 the tip expanding rod 23 is also expanded and the manner-inwhich such member increases the stretch exerted by the above described members over that shown in Fig. 8, as well as the manner in which the rod stretches the toe' tip, is clearly shown.

. The various stretching instrumentalities above described normally occupy. the retracted positions shown in Fig. 5. Whenfully expanded they occupythe extended positions in which they are shownf'in Fig. 6. To hold the-welt stretching members M normally in retracted position, any suitable means, such for example, as springs 25, may beemployed. The calf stretching member is pivotally mounted at point 226'- in a bifurcated arm N, which in turnis connected with a rod 28 having a hinge connection 29 with a protuberance 3ilon the bearing i2."A leaf spring 3i connected to the rod and pressing against the inside of the form normally, holds the rod 28 and, hence, the stretcher l? inretracted position. The pair of heel and toe stretching members may beconveniently held normally retracted by inclined undersurfaces of the stretchers M to.

sov

1 ing members.

expand: the latter on longitudinal movement of the rod 34. The stretching rod-terminates bethe wedge 36 in a bifurcated member 31 to which is .pivotally connected the end of a link 38. To the other. end of the :link is pivotally attached a pair of double-faced wedges 39. and 40,

'whose inclined faces. engagev respectively the inclined surfaces of recesses 4| in the form and the inclined surfaces. 42 on the underside of stretcher H. To the end of wedge is pivotally attached the inner end of the tip expending rod 23. Collared on rod 23 in a suitable position to simultaneously expand the stretchers 20 and .2l is a suitable wedge. 44 as shown in Fig. 4. i

. With the above described construction it will be, obvious that as the stretching rod 23 is moved longitudinally inwardly of the form: the various wedges 36, 39, 40 and 44* will engage respectively the stretching members I 4, I], 20iand 2l' to move the same outwardly into extended positions and the tip stretching rod 23 .will be projected through the hole 24 in the end of the form.

. As heretofore pointed out, .it is. undesirable that all of the stretching members be expanded simultaneously, inasmuch as certain defects may be detected without any, or with a moderate, stretching, while other defects will only be discovered by an, extreme stretch of the stocking fabric. I, therefore, propose to position the wedges 36 and 44 on their respective actuating rods and to regulate the length of the rods 23 and 34 and of the link 38 with a view of obtaining successive actuation of the several stretch- Any desired order of actuation may readily be produced. At present I deem it desirable to allow the stretchers l4 and H to expand simultaneously, but to have the stretchers 20 and 2| extended only after, or just as, stretchers I4 and I1. have reached theirfully extended positions, inasmuch as the members 20- and 2| subject the narrow part of the leg and parts of the heel and toe to a high. degree of stretch and substantial defects in such parts of the stocking may be located when the welt and calf are stretched without need of local stretching in the above-mentioned parts. Particularly is it desirable, as will be apparent from a comparison of Figs. 8 and 9, to have the tip expanding rod 23 project through the end of the form'to engage the tip of a stocking heel or toe to produce a longitudinal stretch only after an inspection has been made while the heel or toe is subjected'solely to a lateral stretch by the stretchers 20 and 2| in their full extended positions. By reason of the reentrant end of the form the narrowing points and seam of the heel and toe may be expanded and the looping corners inspected on the horns,

mounting the form and'for actuating the stretching rod 34'. In Fig. 7' I have illustrated simple means which will serve such purposes. A simple bracket or arm is connected with the bushing H: so that, due tothe rotatable mounting ofthe bushing'i n thebearing H, the form may be freely-rotated. To actuate the rod 34, the end of-the same may be threaded and rigidly connected by nuts 46 and 41 to an arm 48, which in turn is suitably secured rigidly to an arm 49. The arm 43 is connected through a pivoting link 50 and rod 5| to afoot treadle 52. With such arrangement, pressure on the treadle will effect a movement of arm 49 in the direction of the small end of the form, and the latter through the rigid connection with the stretching rod by means of arm 48 will cause a corresponding movement of the stretching rod which will extend the stretching members. The amount of stretch of a stocking may be regulated in accordance with the pressure on the treadle.

I claim:

'1. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a recessed stocking supporting form, a plurality of stocking stretching members positioned in the recesses thereof, means effectively engaging said members to. move the same outwardly with respect to said recesses, said means being such as to move some of said stretching members outwardly before actuating other of said stretching members.

2. A hosiery inspecting device including a support, a plurality of. stocking stretching members movable relative to said support, and means engageable with saidmembers to move the same outwardly with respect to. the support, said means being such as to move some of saidstretching means outwardly before actuating other of said stretching members.

3. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a stocking supporting form, means for effecting a lateral stretching of a stocking, means for effecting a longitudinal stretching of a stocking, and means for actuating said stocking stretching means, said actuating means being operative to actuate said laterally stretching means and said longitudinally stretching means at. different times.

4. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a stocking supporting form, means for effecting a lateral stretching of a stocking, means for effecting a longitudinal stretching of a stocking, and means for actuating said stocking stretching means, said actuating means being operative; to actuate said laterally stretching means and said longitudinally stretching means successively.

5. A. hosiery inspecting. form including a plurality of fabric stretching members operating in different longitudinal areas of the form to laterally expand different areas of the stocking, and actuating means coactive with the plurality of stretching means extending longitudinally of the form and operating said plurality of stretching means successively toexpand different longitudinal areas of the stocking progressively one after another.

6. A hosiery inspecting form including a, plurality offabric stretching members operating in different longitudinal areas of the form to engage and expand the welt end of the stocking, the stocking calf and the stocking foot, and actuating means extending longitudinally of the form operating said plurality of stretching means to progressively expand said various areas of the stocking one after another.

7 A hosiery inspecting device comprising a recessed stocking supporting form, a plurality of stocking. stretching members positioned in the recesesi thereof adapted. to'be moved outwardly from the form to stretch a stocking laterally and longitudinally, and actuatingmeanswithin the form engageable with the lateral and longitudinal stretching members.

8. A hosiery inspecting device comprising, a stocking supporting form provided with a pair of recesses occupying like positions on opposite sides of the form adjacent one end, a plurality of stock-. ing stretching, members positioned in said recesses adapted tobe moved laterally outward from the form, a recess in the endof the form, a. stocking stretching memberpositioned in .said recess adapted to be 'moved outwardly therethrough longitudinally of the form and means for effectively engaging said members to move the same outwardly with respect tosaid recesses, said actuating means being such as to move the laterally stretching members before moving said longitudinally stretching member.

9. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a stocking supporting form provided with a plurality of stocking stretching members disposedin the form adjacent one end adapted to be expandedoutwardly through the Wall of the form to efiect a lateral stretch of the heel or toe of a stocking, a stretching member cooperative with the lateral stretching members disposed to expand outwardly from the end of the form to effect a longitudinal stretch of the heel or toe of a stocking, and means for engaging and moving outwardly the laterally and longitudinally stretching members. 7

10. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a stocking supporting form having converging flat surfaces at one end, stocking stretching members positioned to extend outwardly through the wall of said form in opposite directions and substantially parallel with the planes of said surfaces, and a pair of protuberances on one of said surfaces adjacent the end adapted to engage the looping corners of a stockingtoe and prevent the stocking from shifting with respect to the form during operation of said stretching members.

11. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a stocking supporting form having converging flat surfaces at one end, a stocking stretching member positioned to extend outwardly through the end of thefcrm to engage-a stocking heel or toe tip, and a pair, of protuberances on one of said surfaces adjacent the end adapted to engage the looping corners of a heel ortoe and prevent the stocking from moving longitudinally of the form during extension of said'stretchingmember, whereby the heel or toe may be subjected to a relatively high degree of stretch.

12. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a stocking supporting form having converging flat surfaces at one endprovided with a plurality of stocking stretching members disposed in the form adjacent one end adapted to be expanded outwardly through the wall of the form in planes substantially parallel with said surfaces, a pair of protuberances on one of said surfaces adjacent the end adapted to engage the looping corners of a stocking heel or toe, and a stretching member positioned to extend outwardly through the end of the form cooperating with the pair of oppositely expanding stretching members to subject, astocking to a relatively high degree of stretch, V

13. A hosiery inspectingdevice comprising a stocking supporting 'form havingconverging flat surfaces at one end provided with a plurality of stocking stretching members disposed in the form adjacent, one end adapted to be expanded out.

Wardly through thewall of the form in planes substantially parallel with said surfaces, a pair of protuberances on one of said surfaces adjacent the. end adapted-to engage the looping corners of a stockingheel or toe, astretching member positioned toiextend outwardly through the end of the form cooperating with the pair of oppositely expanding stretching members to subject a stocking to a relatively high degree of stretch, and means for expanding the stretching members operative to expand the oppositely expanding members before actuating the end expanding member.

14. A hosiery inspecting device including a hosiery supporting form having an end portion adaptedto receive the heel or toe fabric of a stocking, and stretching members projectable outwardly from said end portion for simultaneously effecting lateral and longitudinal stretching of the heel or toe fabric. 315. A hosiery inspecting device including a stocking supporting form having an end portion engageable with a stocking heel or toe fabric, stocking stretching members associated withthe end of the form and expansible outwardly there from, and a plurality of protuberances positioned on and extending outwardly in relief from the surface of the form at the end thereof adapted to engage the stocking fabric and prevent slippage of the same during operation of the stretching members. a

16. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a stocking supporting form, stocking stretching members associated with the sides of the form adjacent the end portion of the form and adapted to be expanded outwardly therefrom in opposite directions, a further stretching member projectable longitudinally outward from the end of the form, and a plurality of protuberan'ces on and extending outwardly in relief from the surface of the form at the end thereof adapted to engage the stocking-fabric and cooperative with the expanding members to effect a thorough stretching of the stocking fabric in the vicinity of the members.

, 17. A hosiery inspecting device including a stocking supporting form of generally cylindrical cross section, three or more stocking stretching members arranged radially at intervals about the form, said members being adapted to effect expansion of a stocking relative to the whole circumference of the form.

18. A hosiery inspecting device, including a stocking supporting form of generally cylindrical cross section having a portion adapted to receive the welt of a stocking, and three or more stretching membersarianged radially at intervals about the form and adapted to be expanded outwardly to effect expansion of the stocking welt relative to the whole circumference of the form.

19. A hosiery inspecting device including laterally and longitudinally movable fabric engaging and stretching means both engageable with the toe or heel of a stocking, actuating means to expand the lateral and longitudinal stretching means, the several stretching means being located in proximity to each other atone end of the inspection device. and being constructed to provide fabric engaging surfaces which-upon expansion will stretch a localized area of fabric comprising the stocking heel ortoe at the same time both laterally and longitudinally, the fabric engaging surface of the longitudinally movable means beinglimited to the area. of fabric beyond the portion of the stocking in which the lateral stretching means operates.

20. A hosiery inspecting form including laterally movable stretching means located adjacent one end of the form, a longitudinally operative stretching member movable outwardly from the said end of the form, said several means being constructed to effect both lateral and longitudinal stretch of the stocking fabric in the portion thereof which is located at and near the end of the form, and actuating means within the form engageable with the lateral and longitudinal stretchers, the longitudinally movable member being engageable with the stocking fabric only beyond the area of operation of the lateral stretching means.

21. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a stocking supporting form provided with a pair of recesses occupying like positions on opposite sides of the form adjacent one end, a plurality of stocking stretching members positioned in said recesses adapted to be moved laterally outward from the form to effect a lateral stretch of the portion of a stocking located at the said end of the form, a recess in the same end of the form, a stocking stretching member positioned in said recess adapted to be moved outwardly therethrough longitudinally of the form to effect longitudinal stretch of the stocking fabric, and means within said form for effectively engaging said laterally and longitudinally stretching members to move the same outwardly with respect to said recesses.

22. A hosiery inspecting device including a stocking supporting form having a blunt end extremity adapted to support and hold the end of the stocking toe or heel for stretching, an opening in said end extremity, a stretching member projectable outward longitudinally of the form through said opening to stretch the area of fabric held on the end extremity, and an actuating rod extending through the form connecting with and operating said stretching member.

23. A hosiery inspecting device including a stocking supporting form terminating in a blunt end, said end presenting a fabric engaging surface adapted to hold the stocking toe or heel during stretching thereof, an opening in the end at said supporting surface, a movable stretching member projectable out through said opening beyond the extremity of the form end to stretch the stocking fabric in the area held by said end supporting surface, and actuating means extending longitudinally through the form for operating the stretching member.

24. A hosiery inspecting device including a stocking supporting form, said form terminating in a blunt extremity which presents a substantially flat end surface engageable with and holding the closed end of the stocking for, and during, stretching, a movable fabric stretching member mounted at said end of the form adapted to engage the area of fabric held by the end surface, and an actuating rod extending longitudinally through the form for projecting said stretching member.

EDWARD R. AMMON. 

